Process of and apparatus for refining hydrocarbon



. (No Model.)

B. D. KENDALL.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR REFINING HYDROOARBONSI N. PETERS vmwmo nwr. Wnhinglm t. 01c.

' repeatedly subjected to contact with the acid, 7

UNITED STATES PATENT Orricn.

EDWARD D. KENDALL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR REFINING HYDROCARBON SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 359,357, dated March 15, 1887.

Application filed- December 18, 1884. Serial No. 150,645. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD D. KENDALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented new and useful. Improvements in Process of and Apparatus for Refining Hydrocarbons, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in process of and apparatus for refining the crude hydrocarbons of petroleum and coal-tar by means of sulphuric acid and other liquids; and the objects of my invention are, first, to provide a continuous time-saving method of re fining, requiring little mechanical power, and by which the action of detergent bodies may be regulated and equalized; and, second, to furnish a means of agitating and commingling the hydrocarbons and sulphuric acid, or other refining agents, without employing paddles or similar appliances, which are ineflicient in large operations, and avoiding the use of a driven current of air, which conveys moisture to the acid, thereby reducing its efiiciency,

forms explosive mixtures by taking up hydrocarbon vapors, and is also attended by the disadvantage that in treating a large volume of petroleum, crude burning-oils, or so-called distillate with a considerable quantity of sulphuric acid the part first chemically and sufficiently acted on by the acid is again and in order to-coinpletel y treat the succeeding and later portions, and the oil so ovcrtreated, being of dark color, is apt to discolor the entire body of refined oil.

The process by which I secure the advantages alluded to consists in passing a stream of distillate (which Word I will use. to represent crude liquid-distilled hydrocarbons generally) and a jet of sulphuric acid together through the hereinafter-described mixing and agitating chamber, thenceinto a settlingtank, where the greater part of the acid and pro ducts of its chemical action subside by their greater specific gravity, then conducting the acid-treated distillate through a second agitating-chamber accompanied by a current of water, both liquids afterward passing together into a second settling-tank, where the water separates by its gravity, and finally sending The apparatus which enables me to conduct the abovedescribed process successfully is shown in the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 is a sectional view of the apparatus; Figs. 2, 3, and 4, views showing perforations and flanges of diaphragms, herein to be mentioned; Figs. 5, 6, and 7, views of the top, side, and bottom, respectively, of partly brokenaway parts of the apparatus.

Similar letters indicate similar part-s.

Aindicates a cylinder of cast-iron or other suitable material. It is divided into numerous cells by perforated diaphragms l) a b a, &c., made of cast-iron, clay, or other material. Fig. 2 shows the perforations in each diaphragni'like those marked 1), and Figs. 3 and 4 the single central opening in each diaphragm like those marked a. The diaphragms may be simple disks or plates, separated from each other by interposed rings, or may be formed, as shown in Figs. 3 and l, with flanges at the peripheries, which serve to support the diaphragms one on another. ranged alternatelyb a, b a, 850. The combined areas of the perforations in each diaphragm marked 1 should approximate in extent to the area of the single central opening in a diaphragm marked a, and each of these should They are arhave about the same diameter as the interior with the interior of a settling-tank, G, which should be lined with lead. A plate, (I, of castiron or lead, curved horizontally, is supported in an inclined position in the tank 0 opposite the opening that receives the pipe 0. Several partitions, c e, extend downward from the closed top of the tank, and others, like 1), extend upward from near the bottom of the tank.

F is a cylinder of metal, the lower end of which is open and in communication with the tank C. The upper end of the cylinder is closed, and the cover supports a bar, f, of metal or of wood wrapped with sheet-lead. A series of rods project horizontally from this bar in a spiral line, and serve to support sheets of lead or other material shaped and joined so as to form a long inclined plate with raised edges curved spirally and extending from end to end around the bar f. Across this spiral plate, and projecting from its under side, are many rows of pins, 1?, arranged so that each pin in a row shall be opposite the space between two pins of an adjoining row. Fig. 5 shows the upper surface of a segment of the inclined spiral plate. Fig. 6 is a vertical section, showing two adjoining rows of the said pins, the disposition of which is further shown in Fig. 7.

Near the top of the cylinder F is a pipe, h, which conveys acid-treatcd distillate to the second agitating chamber, A, with water, which enters by the pipe B. This agitatingchamber is constructed substantially in all respects like the first described, A, differing only in dimensions.

C is a settling-tank, similar to the tank 0, but larger, connected with the chamber A by the pipe 0.

F is a cylinder like F; but it contains no mechanical device.

h is a pipe to convey the washed distillate from the cylinder F to the third agitatingchamber, A, which is substantially in every respeet,exeepting size,like A and A. The pipe B conveys alkaline water to the chamber A, which chamber or cylinder is connected by the pipe 0 with the third settling-tank, 0, constructed like the first two, 0 and C.

Fis a cylinderlike F, and h is a pipe which conducts the finished refined oil to storagetanks.

The operation of the above-described plant is as follows: Distillate and sulphuric acid, under pressure, enter the agitating-chamber by the pipes D and s, and, passing together rapidly through the perforations of a dia phragm, are abruptly diverted from their course by the opposing material of the next diaphragm,and so on repeatedly. The tumultuous currents dash against the walls of the cells, return upon themselves, and thus the liquids are thoroughly com mingled with violence conducive to required chemical action. The in termixed fluids, after passing through all the diaphragms, fall on the inclined shelves at a n in the lower part of the chamber A, and enter the lead-lined settling-tankOthrough thepipe e, which is of sufficient diameter and length to induce a tranquil flow of the liquids, so that the greater part of the acid and acid products separate, and on entering the tank at once fall to the bottom. The acid-treated distillate, holding some acid and acid products in suspension, and having itself an acid character, when it pours into the tank impinges on the inclined and curved plate d, which spreads the current laterally, so that after the tank 0 is filled with distillate and waste or sludge acid (the average height of the latter being indicated by the dotted line 00) motion is imparted to the whole body of distillate, which flows slowly under the partitions like e and over the partitions represented by p, the space under the latter being sealed by the heavy sludge acid. During its passage through the settling-tank the distillate will generally be freed, by subsidence, from all but a trace of acid matters, but it will exhibit an acid reaction, and some hydrocarbons are persistently accompanied by small quantities of flocculent or viscid matters. The current of distillate from the tank 0 slowly follows the spiral way within the cylinder F and finds exit through the pipe h. During its passage all suspended viscous bodies will be abstracted by the pins 1?, will aggregate into slimy masses, drop down and collect on the upper surface of the spiral plate, and gradually slide down and fall to the bottom of thetank 0. The sludge acid is drawn oi'f continuously by t-he adjusted cock or at intervals, determined by try-cocks. I have devised an automatic valve for the purpose of keeping a constant level of waste acid; but, as it is adaptable to various uses, I propose to make it the subject of a separate patent. The acid-treated distillate passes from the cyliuder F, through the pipe h, to the agitatingchamber A, where it is thoroughly washed with water brought by the pipe B and drawn off, with contained impurity, by the cock 9.

From the cylinder F the washed distillate proceeds by the pipe h to the third agitatingchamber, F, the pipe B at the same time bringing a stream of water that has been rendered slightly alkaline by lime or caustic soda. This alkaline water passes with the distillate, which now exhibits slight alkaline reaction, into the tank 0, whence it is removed by the cock and the finished refined oil or other purified hydrocarbon is delivered through the pipe h.

It will be observed that by the arrangement which I have proposed I have dispensed with the use of anymoving mechanical parts in my apparatus, as in apparatus heretofore used such as paddles rotating in a vat containing the distillatethe said apparatus being automatic in its operation and requiring only the introduction of suitable liquids at suitable points. It will be further observed that I have combined in one process and one movement a number of processes which have hith- ICC erto been'performed in distinct or separate operations.

I do not limit myself to the exact construction shown; but that is the best one known to me. It is obvious, for example, that the plates n and d might be varied or omitted, and in certain peculiar constructions even the separating-plates e and 1) might be omitted. The peculiar arrangement of spiral and pins may be also varied, and for certain qualities of distillate the pins themselves might be omitted, though I prefer to use them for greater safety. It will be observed, moreover, that these pins are readily cleaned by the removal of the center post or bar, for removing the cover of the cylinder G will remove the spiral and pins, which will then be readily accessible for cleansing.

I do not claim, broadly, acid nor of alkaliwater in the treatment of distillate, nor, broadly, the use of agitation of the distillate with. sulphuric acid, the same being old; but

.W'hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The process of treating distillate with sulphuric acid, which consists in forcing together regulated quantities of the acid and the distillate, and causing them to pass together. under pressure through a pipe or tube provided with stationary obstructions, whereby they are thoroughly mingled by the force of the liquid itself, substantially as described.

2. The process of treating distillate with sulphuric acid, which consists in forcing together regulated quantities of the acid and the distillate, and causing them to pass together through a pipe or tube containing stationary deflecting 'or mingling diaphragms, whereby the said acid and distillate are thoroughly mingled by the force of the liquid itself and the action of the acid upon the distillate increased, substantially as described.

3. As an improvement in the process of removing the viscous sulpho compounds from refined distillate, the method herein described the use of sulphuric .of causing it to pass in contact or across retainingpins, whereby they may be removed from the distillate, substantially as described.

4. As an improvement in the process of removing the viscous sulpho compounds from refined distillate, the method herein described of causing it to pass in contact or across retaining-pins, whereby they may be removed from the distillate, and of causing them to drop upon a suitable conveyer, whereby they may be removed to a vessel or a part of a vessel dis tinct from that containing the distillate, whence they may be withdrawn,substantially as described.

5. The process of washing distillate, which consists in forcing the distillate, in connection with a suitable stream of water, through a minglingpipe or tube provided with stationary obstructions, whereby they are thoroughly brought in contact with each other and are mingled by the force of the liquid itself, and of then allowing the mingled distillate and water to substantially come to rest in a settling-tank, whereby the water and'dis tillate are separated from each other, substantially as described.

6. The improved process of refining distillate herein described, which consists in forcing. the distillate through a suitable mixingtube, in combination with a regulated quantity of acid, in then permitting the mingled acid and distillate to separate from each other in a settling-tank, in then causing the distillate containing certain viscous sulpho acids to come in contact with an independent separating apparatus for relieving the distillate of such viscous sulpho compounds, in then causing the distillate to flow through a suitable mixing-tube, in combination with a suitable amount of water for Washing the same, andin then settling the distillate from the wash-water in a suitable separating-tank,substantially as described.

7. The improved apparatus for mixing distillate and sulphuric acid or other liquids herein described, which consists of a tube or tubes provided with a pipe or pipes for introducing the distillate and sulphuric acid at one end thereof, and with a series of stationary distributing or deflecting diaph ragms arranged transversely to its length, therebyinsuring the mingling of such bodies, and provided at its other end with a delivery-port, substantially as described.

8. Theimprovementinsettling-tanks herein described, which consists in a tank, 0, provided with the vertical partitions e and 1;,substantially as described.

9. Theimproved separator herein described, which consists of a cylindrical chamber containing a spiral shelf provided with retaining pins or projections,around which the material to be separated is caused to flow, substantially as described.

10. The improved settling-tank herein described, which consists of the outer tank, 0, the diaphragms or partitions e and p, and the deflecting-plate cl 'substantially as described.

11. As an improvementin the process ofremoving viscous impurities from refined distillate, the method herein described of causing it to flow upward under pressure in contact with collecting devices, which retard the viscous impurities, substantially as described.

EDWARD D. KENDALL.

\Vitnesses:

Gno. H. Evans, ANTHONY GREF.

IID 

